Closer To Heaven
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View an in-depth discussion of Surprised by Grace in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris.
Click on the image below to view the video:
With thanks to Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.
(0)Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/2-surprised-by-grace-hope-sabbath-school-video-discussion/
Daily Lesson for Wednesday 8th of October 2025
This chapter of Joshua starts by informing us that the Canaanite kings who usually ruled over small city-states decided to create a coalition against the Israelites. By contrast, the inhabitants of Gibeon decided to establish a covenant with Israel.
Image © Providence Collection at Goodsalt.com
In order to trick the Israelites into making a covenant with them, the Gibeonites resort to the scheme of being ambassadors from a foreign country. According to Deuteronomy 20:10-18, God made a distinction between the Canaanites and people who lived outside the Promised Land.
The word translated as “craftily” or “cunningly” can be used with a positive meaning, denoting prudence and wisdom (Proverbs 1:4; Proverbs 8:5,12), or negatively, implying criminal intent (Exodus 21:14, 1 Samuel 23:22, Psalms 83:3). In the case of the Gibeonites, behind their treacherous action lies a less-destructive intent of self-preservation.
The speech of the Gibeonites is strikingly similar to that of Rahab. Both acknowledge the power of Israel’s God, and both acknowledge that Israel’s success is not simply a human feat. In contrast to other Canaanites, they do not rebel against Yahweh’s plan to grant the land to the Israelites, and they admit that the Lord Himself is driving these nations out before Israel. The news of the deliverance from Egypt, and the victories over Sihon and Og, prompt both Rahab and the Gibeonites to seek an alliance with the Israelites. However, instead of fully acknowledging their willingness to surrender to the God of Israel, as Rahab does, the Gibeonites resort to a subterfuge.
The law of Moses made provisions for learning the will of God in such cases as this (Numbers 27:16-21). Joshua should have inquired for the will of the Lord and avoided the deception of the Gibeonites.
The fundamental duty of a theocratic leader, and of any Christian leader, is to seek God’s will (1 Chronicles 28:9, 2 Chronicles 15:2, 2 Chronicles 18:4, 2 Chronicles 20:4). By neglecting it, the Israelites were compelled either to violate the fundamental conditions of conquering the land or to break an oath made in the name of the Lord, which was equally binding.
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How often have you found yourself struggling between what appears to be two conflicting biblical values? |
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